A job creating business enterprise centre at Whitehill and Bordon opens its doors this month to help start-ups and growing firms to flourish.

Finishing touches are being put to BASE Bordon Innovation Centre following an 18-month refurbishment project by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

The centre is at the former Edwardian army officers’ mess at Broxhead House on the old Louisburg Barracks site.

Transformed workspace is geared to entrepreneurs getting their commercial ideas off the ground, as well as small-to-medium sized enterprises and high-growth businesses.

Thirty-one offices are available on flexible rental terms, as well as co-working space, meeting rooms for hire, virtual offices and fast and reliable broadband.

Owned by the Homes and Communities Agency, the Innovation Centre has been significantly funded by a £4m Local Growth Fund investment from Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Oxford Innovation has been appointed operator.

The former military base upon which BASE stands, is being regenerated in a £50m mixed scheme, including hundreds of homes.

Oxford Innovation’s regional manager, Stephen Brownlie, said: “Many start-ups, despite great commercial potential, fail for the want of expert support, coaching and guidance.

“Our on-site business support team will not only help, but open doors to funding, opportunities and networks that make a significant difference to business success.”

BASE is on track to open in the second half of this month.

Councillor Ferris Cowper, who is East Hampshire District Council’s portfolio holder for Whitehill and Bordon, said: “Business is vital for the future of Whitehill and Bordon.

“In BASE, we now have an environment where innovators and entrepreneurs can flourish through collaboration and the support the innovation centre will provide.

“The centre provides a fantastic opportunity for any aspiring small or medium-sized business looking to grow into the next stage of its development.

“We promised the community that our 21st century town would respect and retain as many of its historical buildings as possible.

“The former sergeants’ mess in Broxhead House has always been an iconic local landmark and it is great that it has been given a new lease of life, bringing high value jobs back into the heart of the area.”

Open days at BASE are being held on November 10 and 15.